Teachers Can Deduct COVID-Prevention Supplies on Their Tax Return

There's some good news for teachers and other educators who are digging into their own pockets to buy COVID-related supplies for their classroom. They can deduct these out-of-pocket expenses on their tax return. The IRS has even issued guidance to help educators determine what is or isn't deductible as a "COVID-19 protective item."

According to the IRS, deductible supplies include personal protective equipment (PPE) and other items used to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the classroom. Among other things, the list includes:

• Face masks;
• Disinfectants;
• Hand soap;
• Hand sanitizer;
• Disposable gloves;
• Tape, paint or chalk to guide social distancing;
• Physical barriers (e.g., clear plexiglass);
• Air purifiers; and
• Other items recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The deduction is available for up to $250 of unreimbursed cost of COVID-19 protective items paid by an eligible educator during the calendar year. An "eligible educator" is anyone who is a kindergarten through 12th grade teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide in a school for at least 900 hours during a school year. The maximum deduction jumps to $500 for a married couple filing a joint return if both spouses are eligible educators – but not more than $250 each.

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Other expenses that were already deductible – such as books, supplies, and other materials used in the classroom – also count toward the $250 (or $500) limit. For 2021 tax returns, the deduction is claimed on Schedule 1, Line 11, of Form 1040 or 1040-SR. Returns for the 2021 tax year are due April 18, 2022 (April 19 for residents of Maine and Massachusetts).